New Škoda Rapid 1.5 TDI 7-Speed AT (DSG) - Road Test Review

Handling & Suspension

The new Rapid much like the older version of the car handles very well. The suspension is moderately stiff and the ride comfort of the car like most Skoda and Volkswagen cars is really good. Be it bumpy roads or cornering at high speeds the car simply feels planted to the ground. The front suspension is a McPherson with lower triangular links and a torsion stabiliser. The rear has a compound link crank-axle which tends to jump if the back seat is empty. The brakes on the Rapid are very efficient. The front has disc brakes with a floating calliper while the rear has drum brakes. The chassis of the Rapid complements the drive and handling of the car and unlike the Japanese competitors the car does not tend to float at higher speeds. The new Rapid has 185/ 60 R15 wheels, which give it a proud stance and also complement the profile of the car. The car has a 168mm of ground clearance and has a turning circle diameter of 10.6m. The steering on the new Skoda Rapid is a direct rack & pinion with an electro mechanic power assist. The steering feels sporty and is a bit on the heavier side but is very responsive none the less.

Design & Styling

The design aspect of the new Skoda Rapid is like its previous versions and is an extended form of the Skoda Fabia.  The car literally has borrowed its styling from other cars in the VW family. The side profile of the car looks like the Vento while the back has horizontal linings on the boot to differentiate it from the Vento. The looks of the Rapid are of any typical Skoda however the vehicle is not coming on the MQB platform like the new Superb and Octavia. It has a good road presence and the design is bold and aggressive. The new Rapid is now being launched with a Black Package. The Black Package adds to the sporty feel of the car with new smoked projector headlamps, black painted 12 spoke alloys, black coloured ORVMs, black fog lamp housing and optional black roof and side graphic strips. The Black Package offered on the new Skoda Rapid gives the vehicle a very bold and sporty look. One of the new styling changes offered on the other variants of the Rapid are a new set of 5-spoke alloys. With decent pricing the black package on the new Skoda Rapid is an added advantage over the VW Vento and it costs less than its sibling rival.  

Features & Safety

The new Skoda Rapid comes packed with host of new features like a magnetic card holder, cruise control, parking sensors, etc. The Rapid is one of the few vehicles in the segment to offer a driver airbag as a standard safety feature. Thumbs up to Skoda for such proactive measures! Apart from air bags for the front passenger and the driver, the Rapid also comes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Dual Rate brake assist, fuel supply cut off in a crash, over speeding warning, rear park assist, etc. Some key convenience features on the new Skoda Rapid are a GSM sim with Bluetooth integration, multi-function steering with telephone controls, climatronic air conditioning, SD/ MMC card reader, USB and CD 2-Din music system, front centre armrest and cruise control. The colour options available on the new Skoda Rapid are in Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Cappuccino Beige, Deep Black Pearl, Flash Red and the new Toffee Brown.  

The Verdict

While there are not many changes on the design front of the new Skoda Rapid barring the additions found on the Black Package, the 1.5 TDI mated with the DSG gearbox is a real joy to drive. The engine and performance of the new Rapid may have the same output but definitely feels refreshed in terms of pick-up and efficiency thanks to the 7-speed DSG. Skoda has priced the Rapid Elegance at Rs.10,84,324 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the Elegance Black package at 10,97,424 (ex-showroom, Delhi) which is very competitive when compared to other vehicles in the segment and what they have to offer. One of the drawbacks is the cabin insulation which does feel a bit noisy. The new Skoda Rapid is a fun, sporty and practical car to drive. Do not over look this as an option if you are planning to buy a vehicle in this segment.